Sands, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, has counted the most Ribbon Displays ever created across the country by the charity’s dedicated volunteers and supporters.
Parents and families affected by pregnancy and baby loss have joined together to create a grand total of 190 of the beautiful pink and blue Ribbon Displays across the UK as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2024 (9-15 October).
Each public display includes handmade ribbons, many with the names of the much-loved and missed babies written on them. From paper displays in shop windows to ribbons hung from trees, there are so many ways that people have found to interpret a Sands Ribbon Display for Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Sands has created an online map to help people find a display in their area. People can also dedicate a ribbon on Sands’ virtual Ribbon Remembrance tree.
During October 2023, Mollie Sim’s beautiful baby boy, Teddy, was born sleeping. Teddy’s first heavenly birthday is on 12 October 2024, during Baby Loss Awareness Week. In tribute to Teddy and all other babies who have died, Mollie is organising a Ribbon Display in her village Gilfach Goch, in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Mollie said:
“I hope that Teddy’s Ribbon Display will be a meaningful tribute that supports a cause close to her and her families’ hearts. The loss of a baby or pregnancy is heart-breaking, and this is happening to families across the UK every day. I want to create a special display to remember all the babies gone too soon and invite everyone to join us in remembering them.”
Displays are also planned in Cardiff, Barry Island, Porth and many other locations across Wales.
Half of UK adults have said that they, or someone they know, had experienced at least one form of pregnancy or baby loss.1 So it’s vital that everyone knows that they are not alone and that there is a community that understands and is here for them, whatever they need – be it guidance, shared stories or simply a listening ear to help and offer comfort.
Clea Harmer, Chief Executive at Sands, said:
“We are so grateful to everyone who has given their time to make the biggest ever collection of Sands Ribbon Displays for Baby Loss Awareness Week. Every ribbon is hand made with love and many people take so much care writing the names of babies on the ribbons, their own and those of people in their local community. These displays are so important as pregnancy and baby loss can be a hidden form of bereavement, and many parents and families feel isolated or that their losses are not recognised.
“A Ribbon Display is something you cannot walk past without wondering, what is it about? They can really help start conversations which helps to break the silence that still surrounds pregnancy and baby loss. Seeing the photos of all the displays on social media really gives the feeling of a connected ribbon of love stretching across Wales and the whole of the UK. Thank you to everyone who has helped build these beautiful visions of remembrance.”
Ribbon Displays are not the only way Sands supporters are marking Baby Loss Awareness Week in Wales. Many people will be taking part in Ribbon Run on Saturday 12 October, a sponsored 5,10 or 15km run, walk or jog where thousands of people come together to remember their babies and raise funds for Sands.
Zoe Jenkins is organising a Ribbon Run in Cardiff. She said:
“I lost a baby in 2011 and Sands provided a memory box for us. I have fundraised every year since. I want to get everyone involved, from young to old. Let’s help break the stigma of baby loss and get the funding and research that it needed to prevent this happening so often.”
Whilst supporters and allies, like businesses and landmarks, have also pledged to light up pink and blue to mark this important week.
Clea Harmer, continued:
“We are delighted that Softcat and NatWest Group are joining the campaign as Official Sands Partners for Baby Loss Awareness Week. Thanks to their support, we are able to reach more people affected by pregnancy or baby loss and let them know that together, we care. From fundraising with colleagues to turning their offices pink and blue – we are so grateful to Softcat and the NatWest Group for their ongoing commitment to raising awareness, supporting bereaved families, and saving babies’ lives.”
More Baby Loss Awareness Week activities across the UK
The theme for Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW) 2024 is ‘Together, we care’ and acknowledges that finding ways to nurture your mental and physical wellbeing is a vital part of anyone’s bereavement journey.
Many other charities, organisations and individuals are also creating Ribbon Displays across the UK during the Week, in addition to those made by Sands supporters and volunteers.
Throughout the Week, landmarks and buildings across the UK will be lit up pink and blue – the colours of Baby Loss Awareness Week – and people will be holding remembrance events in their hometowns to help raise awareness of the impact of pregnancy and baby loss, remember much-loved babies and open up conversations around this issue.
The Baby Loss Awareness Week website lists a wide range of organisations that provide support booklets and resources, signposting to different types of support, as well as resources for health professionals working with and supporting bereaved families.
The week will draw to a close at 7pm on 15 October when candles for all our babies gone too soon are left burning for one hour during the global Wave of Light, with many joining together online, creating a trending moment of connection and collective remembrance across the UK.
For more information visit: babyloss-awareness.org and follow #BLAW on social media.
